Air-distributing apparatus for ventilating systems



8- 1941- A. s. CHIPLEY 2,251,660

AIR-DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS FOR VENTILATING SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 15, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //0/ (11 I i v I I '1 Ira-:9 I

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AIR-DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS FOR VENTILATING SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 15, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 zzzr;

Fiji QM AM Gig fist Patented Aug. 5, 1941 AIR-DISTItIBUTING APPARATUS FOR vsn'rnn'rmo srs'mms Alfred S. Chipley, Chicago, Ill., asslgnor, by mesne assignments, to Burgess Battery Company, Chlcago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Application December 15, 1938, Serial No. 245,807

17 Claims.

This invention concerns the distribution of ventilating air into enclosures.

The manner of introduction of the air into an enclosure to be ventilated has an important bearing on the suitability of every ventilating system. A number of factors must be considered and much ingenuity has heretofore been applied in the solution of the many problems involved in this operation. The difiiculties to be overcome have been greatly multiplied by the advent of air conditioning whereby the ventilating air is cooled, when required, to maintain the desired conditions within the enclosure. An ideal airdistributing arrangement is one which delivers conditioned ventilating air into the enclosure in sufficient quantities without concomitant formation of sensible drafts and which will maintain uniformity within the enclosure with respect to temperature and humidity conditions and wholesomeness of the air.

Divers forms of apparatus have been developed and commercially adopted which are capable of satisfactorily distributing ventilating air into an enclosure. The most desirable forms, however, are expensive and occupy space which would otherwise be available for use by the persons or materials within the enclosure.

It is an object of this invention to provide airdistributing apparatus which will distribute a predetermined quantity of ventilating air into an enclosure without drafts and which will operate to so distribute the air that uniform conditions of temperature, humidity and wholesomeness will obtain within the space. Further objects include the provision of such apparatus which occupies a minimum of space in a simple and inexpensive form, and convenient structure is provided for carrying out the invention.

In carrying out the invention, a panel of perforated sheet metal or other thin self-sustaining material is used in association with a distributing duct relatively small cross-sectional area. Ventilating a is continuously supplied to the distrib and means are provided for flowing stream of air to cause it to pass throng perforations of the panel into the enclosure to be ventilated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the panel. An ordination of narrow baflle sur faces, provided by unrolled expanded sheet material, for example, arranged adjacent the perforated panel, comprises the turning means. The invention is fully described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanylng drawings, in

which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing one form of the invention installed in a vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in section, of the air-distributing assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view taken at 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 4a areperspective views, partly in section, showing two forms of a different embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed sectional views showing the interlocking arrangement for mounting the distributing elements of Fig. 4;

Figs. 7 and 8 are detailed views of modified forms of the turning and air-flow control apparatus; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmental, sectional view of a further modification of the distributing duct arrangement.

Pay space is at a premium in vehicles and vessels so that ventilating equipment occupying a substantial portion of such space is not desirable. At the same time, the height of motor cars and buses and railway cars is limited by various factors. Buses and railway cars generally have been ventilated simply by blowing air into one end of the enclosure, no attempts having been made to effectively distribute the air to obtain uniform temperature and wholesomeness conditions within the enclosure. An effective air-distributing arrangement which occupies a minimum of space is illustrated in Figs. 1-3. Outer shell I and inner shell 2 form the body of the motor bus shown in Fig. 1. A plenum chamber or distributing duct 3 is formed subjacent roof 4 of the bus, channel members 5 and 6, which may be integral with inner shell 2, form the side walls of the distributing duct and airdistributing unit 1 forms the floor of the duct. Ventilating air, which may be conditioned as desired, is continuously supplied to duct 3 at either the front or the rear end of the bus body. This air passes into the body enclosure through distributing element 1.

The details of air-distributing unit 1 are shown in Figs. 2: and 3. The body of this unit comprises a perforated sheet panel 8 (preferably of sheet metal although other self-sustaining sheet material may be used with slight modifications in the details of construction), this panel having retroverted marginal portions adapted to receive a portion of frame 9 and fasten it in position. A layer of unrolled expanded sheet material In is laid on perforated panel 3 and spring wires II are provided to cooperate with frame 9 in holding the layer of expanded sheet material in place. As indicated in Fig. 3, this expanded sheet material, which may be expanded paper, for example, is made up of a large number of narrow baffles or webs which are angularly disposed to the plane of the layer and thus of the perforated panel 8. If expanded paper or other only semi-rigid sheet material is used, it is preferably varnished or otherwise treated after the expanding process to set the structure.

Ventilating air is conveniently introduced into distributing duct 3 at the forward end of the body of the bus. Due to the relatively small cross section of this distributing duct, the air within the duct flows rearwardly at a relatively high velocity. It is necessary to turn this air stream approximately 90 degrees in introducing the air into the enclosure and directing it to all parts thereof. At the same time, it is desirable that approximately equal portions of the ventilating air enter the enclosure at all parts of panel 8. Both of these results are accomplished by the expanded sheet material I0, each one of the multiplicity of angularly disposed baffles operating to turn downwardly a small part of the air flowing through the duct. The expanded material is arranged on perforated panel 8 in such a way that the baffles incline in the direction of flow of air in the distributing duct 3 rather than into this air stream. The relationship between the baflie surfaces and the direction of flow of the air stream is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. This orientation of the baffle surfaces with respect to the direction of air flow and the plane of the perforated panel results in the formation of eddy currents at the rear surfaces of the baffles which effectively accomplish the desired turning. With the inclination of the baffle surfaces reversed, some turning would be accomplished but this arrangement has been found to be less effective. Without the layer of expanded sheet material the air, after passing through the perforations in panel 8, would tend to drift along the under surface of this panel in the same direction as the direction of flow of the air in distributing duct 3. The result in either of the last two cases would be an overabundance of conditioned air at the top and rear portions of the enclosure whereas the arrangement above described and illustrated is effective to uniformly distribute the ventilating air to all portions of the enclosure.

In installations where distributing duct 3 is relatively long, uniformity of distribution of the air through panel 8 is improved by decreasing the cross-sectional area of the duct from front to rear of the body. This progressive decrease of cross-sectional area of the duct along the air stream counteracts the effect of resistance to air flow offered by the walls and floor of the duct and thereby insures a sufficient supply of ventilating air to the rear portions to the bus.

A different arrangement of the air-distributing apparatus is shown in Figs. 4, 4a, 5 and 6. In one form of this arrangement a triangular distributing duct I2 is provided at the juncture of the wall and ceiling of a room. Flanges I3 (Figs. 5 and 6) are provided for supporting the airdistributing element assembly I4 which latter forms the hypotenuse of the triangular duct. The air-distributing element I4 consists of perforated facing panel I5, layer of expanded sheet material I6 and spring wires IT for holding the expanded sheet material in place against the perforated panel I5. Perforated panel I 5 is conconnecting with one end of the duct.

veniently of resilient sheet metal and is provided with flanges I8 extending rearwardly along its edges. These flanges may be turned back sufficiently to lie parallel to the plane of the panel and serve to hold expanded sheet material It and wire springs I! in place. Preferably, however, flanges I8 are disposed at such an angle with the plane of panel I5 that the edges of flanges I8 bear against the walls of duct I2 to urge the edge portions of panel I5 against the inside surfaces of flanges I3. It is sometimes also desirable to make panel I5 slightly oversize so that it will remain slightly concave after installation and exert a lateral pressure into the seats provided by flanges I3. The result is a tight joint without air leakage or danger of vibration of the parts of the assembly. A further advantage of the spring action provided by flanges I8 is realized in removing the distributor assembly l4 from its operating position for cleaning or replacement of expanded sheet material IB. Removal of the distributor assembly is effected by exerting pressure along the middle portion of panel I5 thereby increasing the curvature of this panel and drawing its edge beyond the edge of one or both flanges I3 whereupon the spring action of a flange I3 forces the panel 15 outwardly and clear of retaining flange I3. In assembling or replacing distributor assembly I4, pressure is exerted along the edges of panel I5 as well as at the middle portions thereof to force the edges of the panel behind flanges I3.

In another arrangement (Fig. 4a) in the form of a double duct of the type just described, two faces 20 and 2I, each having the construction of distributing element I4, are provided, each distributing element serving a different portion of the room or serving two different rooms separated by a partition indicated by the dotted lines 22. A number of the distributing ducts may be arranged in spaced, parallel relation to distribute air in a room which is too large to be served by the cornice type ducts I2. Each of such parallel distributing ducts may be fed by a header Air supplied to duct I2 at a comer of the room, for example, or to a duct I9 at one end thereof, as by duct I 9a, will be evenly distributed into the room. Means for continuously supplying ventilating air is illustrated diagrammatically at ISb. Vitiated air is preferably removed from the room at a point near the floor thereof.

Two modified distributing element construc-' tions are shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Each of these operate to turn the air stream passing through a distributing duct and may be substituted for the distributing elements described in connection with Figs. 1 and 4. In Fig. 7 a layer of expanded sheet material 23 is sandwiched between a pair of perforated membranes 24 and 25. Perforated sheet 25 corresponds with the perforated panel 8 of Fig. 1, the additional perforated membrane 24 being provided to restrict the flow of air through the distributing element from the duct into the room whereby to maintain a slight static pressure within the distributing duct and thereby insure a uniform flow of air through all portions of the exposed perforated panel 25. As in the other embodiments, expanded sheet material 23 operates to direct the air into the enclosure to be ventilated in a direction substantially perpendicular to panel 25.

In the construction of Fig. 8 the expanded sheet material is replaced by a multiplicity of small baffles 2| formed by incompletely punching openings 21 in sheet metal panel 28 and bending the metal upwardly as shown. This product may then be used in association with an airdlstrlbuting duct. such as that shown on Fig. 1, to control the flow of air into an enclosure and turning the air stream as described. The direction of air flow within the duct is indicated by the arrow.

In those embodiments of the invention in which expanded sheet material is used, it is sometimes desirable to employ more than one layer. The secondary layer may be used to assist the primary layer in turning the air or it may be arranged to direct the air at any desired angle to the perforated facing panel. Also, the arrangemlent in Fig. 4 may be altered to present a horizontal and/ or vertical distributing surface to the enclosure. It is sometimes desirable to combine the air-distributing apparatus with, for example, an acoustical treatment for the room. Such a combination is illustrated in Fig. 9. A distributing duct 29 is arranged at the wall and ceiling juncture. This duct has a rectangular cross section and its floor comprises the distributing element. Two layers of expanded sheet material are arranged on perforated distributor facing 30. Layer 3i which rests directly on panel 30 is arranged with its baffles running lengthwise of duct 29 and at an angle to panel 30. Layer 32 is arranged with baffle surfaces crosswise of the duct, the orientation with respect to the direction of air flow in the duct being as hereinbefore described. Spring wires 33 are used to hold the expanded sheet material in position. Although any sound-absorbing treatment may be used with this air-distributing arrangement, that disclosed in Norris Patent No. 1,726,500 is preferred since it employs a perforated sheet facing 34 which may match perforated panel 30. The perforated facing 34 is backed by a sound-absorbing pad 35.

Ventilating air supplied to duct 29 is turned downwardly by expanded sheet material layer 32 as it passes through the duct and is turned inwardly by layer 3!. The operation of layer 3| prevents a draft along the wall of the enclosure and improves the distribution of the air. The direction of flow of air into the room is indicated by the arrows. It will readily be appreciated that by reason of the improvements of this invention it is possible to distribute ventilating air into an enclosure in a satisfactory manner Without utilizing more than an insignificant part of the space thereof for this purpose. Relatively small distributing ducts may be used since the problems ordinarily presented by high velocity air flow in such ducts are obviated by the invention. A practical limitation in velocity is established at about 2,000 feet per minute since higher rates of flow may cause noise which is sometimes objectionable.

From a complete understanding of the invention it will be obvious that a number of further modifications embodying it may be made. Such equivalent constructions are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Reference is made to applications Serial Nos. 400,485 and 400,486 of Alfred S. Chipley, both filed June 30, 1941, wherein the subject matter of Fig. 8 and Fig. 7, respectively, of the subject matter disclosed herein are claimed.

I claim: 1. In a ventilating system including a distributing duct having at least one side exposed to an enclosure to be ventilated and means for continuously supplying ventilating air to said duct, an ordination of narrow spaced-apart approximately parallel bafi'ies arranged in a plane disposed as a wall of said duct at said exposed side thereof, and means for supporting said ordination of baiiles, said baffles being arranged transversely of the direction of flow of air within said duct and inclined to form an acute angle between the downstream surfaces thereof and said plane whereby to turn and introduce said ventilating air into said enclosure in a direction approximately at right angles to the direction of flow of air within said duct;

2. In a ventilating system including a distributing duct having at least one wall exposed to an enclosure to be ventilated and means for continuously supplying ventilating air to said duct, a distributing element forming said exposed wall of said duct, said element comprising a perforated panel member and an ordination of narrow spaced-apart approximately parallel baflies interiorly contiguous said panel member with respect to said duct, said bafles being inclined from the plane of said panel and lying transversely of the direction of flow of air within said duct whereby to turn and introduce said ventilating air into said enclosure in a direction approximately at right angles to the direction of flow of air within said duct.

3. The construction of claim 2 in which said bailies are arranged with respect to the direction of flow of air through said duct to form acute angles between the downstream surfaces thereof and said panel.

a. In a ventilating system includinga distributing duct having at least one side'exposed to an enclosure to be ventilated and means for continuously supplying ventilating air to said duct, a perforated panel forming a wall of said duct in an exposed side'thereof, and a layer of expanded sheet material interiorly contiguous said panel with respect to said duct, the orientation of said expanded sheet material being such that the structure thereof is disposed predominantly transversely of the air stream within said duct.

5. In a ventilating system including a distributing duct having atleast one side exposed to an enclosure to be ventilated and means for continuously supplying ventilating air tosaid duct, a perforated panel forming a wall of said duct in an exposed side thereof, and a layer of expanded sheet material interiorly contiguous said panel with respect to said duct, said expanded sheet material being expanded in such a way and so oriented as to present a multiplicity of narrow spacedapart baffles disposed predominantly transversely to the air stream within said duct and inclined at an angle to said perforated panel.

6. The construction of claim 5 in which said bafiles are inclined in the direction of flow of air within said duct.

7. Air-distributing apparatus for an enclosure having a ceiling comprising a distributing duct subjacent said ceiling and having an apertured floor, one or more layers of expanded sheet ma terial upon said apertured floor of said duct, said expanded sheet material having webs arranged predominantly transversely .of said duct, said webs having flat surfaces oriented at an angle to the general plane of said layer and means for continuously supplying ventilating air to said duct.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which said expanded sheet material is expanded paper treated with a stiffening agent.

9. In a ventilating system for an enclosure, a duct of triangular cross section arranged at the ceiling and wall juncture of the enclosure with one side thereof exposed to the enclosure, said exposed side of said duct comprising a sheet-like.-

member having a multiplicity of uniformly distributed apertures therein and a layer of .expanded sheet material interiorly contiguous said sheet-like member, and means for continuously supplying ventilating air to said duct at one end thereof, said expanded sheet material having webs oriented predominantly transversely of said duct.

10. In a ventilating system for an enclosure having a ceiling, a duct subjacent said ceiling and having opposed side walls angularly disposed with respect to said ceiling to face downwardly, said side walls each comprising a sheet-like member having a multiplicity of uniformly distributed apertures therein and a layer of expanded sheet material interiorly contiguous said sheet-like member, and means for continuously supplying ventilating air to said duct at one end thereof, said expanded sheet material having webs oriented predominantly transversely of Said duct.

11. In a ventilating system for an enclosure. air-distributing apparatus including: a duct having at least one side thereof exposed to said enclosure; means for continuously supplying air to said duct; an air-distributing element forming a wall of said duct at an exposed side thereof, said element comprising an apertured panel exposed to said enclosure, means located in back of said panel for altering the direction of flow of air in a longitudinal plane as said air enters said element, and means located in back of said panel for altering the direction of flow of air in a transverse plane; whereby air supplied to said duct is directed into said enclosure in a predetermined direction with respect to said duct.

12. In a ventilating system for an enclosure, air-distributing apparatus including: a duct having at least one side thereof exposed to said enclosure; means for continuously supplying air to said duct; an air-distributing element forming a wall of said duct at an exposed side thereof, said element comprising an apertured panel exposed to said enclosure and having a backing of at least two layers of expanded sheet material having a multiplicity of interconnected webs, the orientation of said layers being such that the webs of one layer are arranged predominantly transversely of said duct and the webs of another layer are arranged predominantly longitudinally of said duct.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the layer of expanded sheet material having webs arranged predominantly longitudinally of said duct is disposed adjacent said panel.

14. In a ventilating system for an enclosure, air-distributing apparatus including a duct disposed at the juncture of the ceiling and a wall of said enclosure and having its floor exposed to said enclosure, means for continuously supplying ventilating air to said duct, the floor of said duct having a multiplicity of perforations distributed throughout a substantial part of the area thereof, a layer of expanded sheet material above said floor of said duct, said expanded sheet material having webs oriented predominantly longitudinally of said duct and inclined upwardly and toward the wall of said enclosure from said floor of said duct, a second layer of expanded sheet material above said first layer, the webs of said second layer of expanded sheet material being oriented predominantly transversely of said duct and inclined upwardly and in the direction of flow of air through said duct.

15. In a ventilating system for an enclosure, a duct having an exposed removable perforated panel of resilient sheet material forming a wall thereof, the marginal portions of the walls of said duct adjoining said removable panel being turned inwardly to provide retaining flanges for said panel, duct members disposed alongside of and co-operating with said flanges to form seats for the edges of said panel, the angle formed by each said duct member and the adjoining flange being less than ninety degrees, the side marginal portions of said panel being retroverted inwardly, the angle between said retroverted portions and said panel being greater than the angle of said seat, the construction and arrangement being such that the edges of said retroverted portions of said panel bear against said duct members to urge said panel outwardly from said duct whereby to eject said panel from the duct structure when the sides of said panel are drawn toward each other beyond a retaining flange by bending the panel to increase its transverse curvature.

16. In a ventilating system for an enclosure, a duct of right-triangular cross section arranged at the ceiling and wall juncture of the enclosure, the hypotenuse side of said duct comprising a removable perforated panel of resilient sheet material and being exposed to said enclosure, inwardly extending retaining flanges at the edges of the leg sides of said right-triangular duct adjacent said hypothenuse side thereof and forming seats for the sides of said panel, the side edge portions of said panel being retroverted inwardly, the construction and arrangement being such that the side edges of said panel bear against the leg sides of said duct to urge said panel outwardly from said duct whereby to eject said panel from the duct structure when the sides of said panel are drawn toward each other beyond a retaining flange by bending the panel to increase its transverse curvature.

17. The duct of claim 15 and including a layer of expanded sheet material interiorly contiguous said panel, said expanded sheet material having Webs oriented predominantly transversely of said duct.

ALFRED S. CHIPLEY. 

